Sunshine, sharing and positive thoughts

Month: January 2015

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New blog discovery: While I’ve followed Helen on twitter for ages, I realised this week that I’ve not actually read her blog before. The mention of this post on Twitter this week was what got me interested, and while she’s far more stylish than I’ll ever be, there’s gorgeous photography and style inspiration galore (although I might just try that cake recipe before an outfit idea…)

Currently reading: All I’ve read this week has been the remainder of Wild by Cheryl Strayed. I’ve absolutely loved it and although I’ve not got the sort of life issues Cheryl had to get to grips with, it seriously makes me want to get out there and do something similar. It’s made me realise I could do with a bit more time for self-reflection and self-improvement. I loved this memoir so much, I slowed down my reading rate for the second half so it would last a little longer.

Currently enjoying: Organising, organising, organising! I’d already been starting to get things together at the start of the year, but a comment from my boss has made me take it further. I’ve always been thought of as super organised at work (not quite the same at home, but I’m working on it!), so when she saw how my heavy workload was making me frantic and chaotic with a to do list all over the place, and commented that I should take a bit of time out to get back to myself and my way of working, it spurred me into doing it. Expect a few posts over the next few months, but My Planner‘s YouTube Channel has been kicking me into getting all kinds of organised! It takes time, but I’m feeling on top of things workwise, and have found a system that works for me. Homewise, I’m getting there- a mission for February really…

Discovering: that I’m both fascinated by (and also sick to my teeth already of) the UK general election build up. There’s a fascinating article hereabout engaging with young voters. I just wish the main political parties took note- I’ve always found that as a demographic, we (although I’m not sure I still count as a ‘young’ voter?!) are often overlooked for other generations, and too often assumed to be apathetic.

A Kept busy by: Planning our very belated housewarming party which we’re finally having in March (only 15 months after we moved in, and we don’t even have any excuses like renovating, we’ve just been rather slow!). We’re hosting a murder mystery by Freeform Games. I’ve played a few of their mysteries before and really enjoyed them, so I’m excited to find out what this brings.

Nature story of the week: Cheating a little here, as this is actually from a few weeks back, but it’s so good it’s worth mentioning again. Possibly my favourite Twitter hashtag (after #SuperbOwl), have you seen #worstbirdpic? Hours of entertainment, or have a look at the summary here instead.

A final thought: I thought that Rosie‘s article here was spot on, and I’ve felt like that myself, time and time again. I’m planning on taking that list of 16 Steps to Happiness and starting on Friday on my day off, I’m going to give all 16 steps a go. Massive thanks to Rosie for sharing, it resonates so much with me and makes me realise that I’m not along in feeling like that sometimes.

Apologies- its a slightly belated #naturenotes this week- life got in the way once again last week but there’s still plenty to do and look out for around you…

5 things to do this week:

1. Get outside and make the most of the cold snap. I love the crisp beauty of cold winter days and there are some gorgeous sights to be had- frozen spiders webs, icy puddles and frosty plants.

2. Look out for unusual visitors to your bird table or garden. In cold spells, more birds are forced into towns and gardens to look for food so it’s possible you could see a redwing, fieldfare or even a brambling popping up in your garden.

3. Are there signs of bulbs around you? The narcissi that I planted back in September are now showing as little green shoots pushing through the earth in our garden and it makes me feel as though the garden is coming back to life after it’s winter slumber.

4. Have a look at the trees around you. Winter is a great time to appreciate the different shapes and structures of different types of trees, and I find that oak trees look particularly majestic without their leaves. I walk past the one above every morning on my way to the station and it never fails to cheer up my rushed commute.

5. Keep an eye or ear out for starling roosts as these noisy birds flock together in winter. You don’t need to go as extreme as to visit the Somerset Levels’ famous murmurations, as smaller flocks can be found closer to home. When doing the Big Garden Birdwatch from my local park this weekend, I counted over 50 starlings roosting together in the treetops and electricity pylon. Their chattering was incredible- starlings really do make the best noises!

Just as I was heading off to bed on Friday night, I picked up my phone to see a text from Mum asking if I wanted to go and see some snowdrops some time in February. After pretty much instantly replying ‘YES!’, I was reminded of a post I’d started many moons ago (WordPress tells me it was 21 days ago although it doesn’t feel that long I’m sure…). The snowdrop season is short but beautiful, so go and see those little white bells of joy before it’s too late to catch them in 2015. I don’t know what it is, but seeing their beautiful green shoots as one of the first signs of garden life every year never ceases to make me feel positive about the year ahead. Here’s where you can track some down for yourself:

You can search for snowdrop gardens on the National Garden Scheme website here. This site is also fab for all sorts of open gardens throughout the year, and you can wish away a whole year in planned garden visits without really trying (I know, I know I’m 28 going on 82).

Great British Gardens also have a lovely snowdrop list here if by some miracle you’ve not found somewhere via either of the above!

Finally, if anyone else is Hampshire based like I am, then as far as I can make out, these seem to be the best 3 local sites:

New blog discovery: tonight I joined in with Bloggers’ Book Club (organised by Jenny and Alice), and discovered Abigail’s blog Snug. I’m enjoying having a further root through the archives after I’ve finished this post! Until 30 minutes ago, I’d never heard of the Museum of London, so I’m excited to see what else I learn from Abigail.

Currently reading: This week I finished off this month’s Bloggers’ Book Club choice which was The Husband’s Secretby Liane Moriarty. Not my usual style, but I did really enjoy something not too ‘concentratey’ for the train to work. Next to be read is Wild by Cheryl Strayed which is my offline book club’s next read. I’m only a few chapters in but really enjoying it so far, although I doubt I’ll finish it in time to see the film in the cinema.

Currently enjoying: Getting back into photoshop. This has no online relevance whatsoever other than that I’ve finally designed myself a custom blog header, which has been in my head since I first started this little blog! I’ve been loving that you can buy a monthly subscription rather than shell out for the full cost of Photoshop. It’s perfect for occasional Photoshop users like myself.

Discovering: That there is such a thing as Adult Attachment Styles. I first saw reference to this in a news article about how women who need less closeness in their relationships feel more pain during childbirth if their partner is present than if their partner isn’t with them. I’d never heard of Attachment Styles before, so I did a bit of Internet research (how did anyone ever find things out before the WorldWideWeb?! I can’t imagine Encyclopedia Brittanica being any good on this one!) and found it fascinating. Your attachment style entirely develops in the first 2 years of your life- amazing. If you want to find out your own attachment style, try the quiz here.

Kept busy by: The RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch, the world’s biggest citizen science event. However nice the food I put out to entice some garden visitors was, it just wasn’t attracting the birds in at home. I spent my week thinking about where to head to undertake the count if sitting at home was a no go, and I spent my hour sitting on a bench in our local park instead- results to follow next week.

Nature story of the week: some good news this week- thisarticle on how India’s tiger population has increased by 30%, but what really brought home to me what a dire place we’re in overall was the following paragraph: ‘The natural habitat of tigers in India – tropical evergreen forests, deciduous forests, mangrove swamps, thorn forests and grass jungles – has almost disappeared outside reserves. Even inside designated zones, unchecked development of tourism and other industries has restricted space and food. Many end up foraging in areas with large human populations, leading to fatalities.’ I find it so hard to comprehend sometimes the scale of destruction that mankind undertakes.

A final thought: have you heard about the Doomsday Clock? I hadn’t at all until this week, when it hit the news that it’s been put closer to midnight than it has in an age, although apparently we shouldn’t be worried.

If you’ve not come across the wonder that is #photoanhour, then do make sure you join in next month. In 2014, it was organised by Janey of Is That You Darling, but come 2015 she’s sharing the organisation with Louisa over at Duck in a Dress. It’s a once a month event, and you can take part via Twitter, Instagram, on your blog or wherever you fancy. For me, the best part is seeing what everyone else is up to on that day.

This month, I was my usual hopeless self and only realised it was happening at 16:00 on Saturday. Oops. So as not to miss out, I went for it and posted a photo an hour on Sunday instead. Here’s what I got up to this weekend…

10:00- Time to (finally) take the tree to the recycling point at the local garden centre. Continue reading →

New blog discovery: Circle of Pine Trees. Another discovery via Instagram, Laura’s blog is beautiful and inspiring. I may have to have a go at making some Marmalade before the Seville season is over.

Currently reading: this week I finished The Bees by Laline Paull which is possibly the best book I’ve ever read. I’ll go into more detail at the end of the month but in short- mesmerising, imaginative and gripping.

Currently enjoying: feeling semi-human once again now the worst of last week’s cold has lifted and I can actually get on with things again. I’ve been whipping things into shape and with Pinterest for inspiration I’m loving reading blogs and watching videos on YouTube all about stationery and organisation. Yep, my stationery obsession has reached new levels! This post is a favourite so far, and one of those organisers is definitely going to be my 2016 diary.

Discovering: the online world of stationery, planning and organisation . I thought I had a stationery tendency, but Organized Jen introduced me to a whole new level of stationery organising and I’ve been watching far too many videos online on ‘How to organise your daily planner’. I feel my washi tape obsession deepening as I plan for how to get my own diary in order…

Nature story of the week: bit of a serious (and long) one this week, but if the name Bowland Betty doesn’t mean anything to you (and even if it does), then read this article. I still find it shocking that we live in a culture where all this happens in the name of sport.

A final thought:this article on The Guardian about depression gives a very real insight into how mental health conditions can be misinterpreted, and is well worth the read.

That’s this week all over- back to the daily grind a a new week ahead tomorrow…

1. Next weekend marks the 2015 Big Garden Birdwatch with the RSPB. All you need is a spare hour and a garden or park to watch. I’ll be bringing you more tips next Wednesday, so pop back then for more info. In the mean time, get yourself registered for the bird count here.

2. Use a rainy day or evening as an excuse to do some research. Find a place you really want to visit and find a date in your diary to do it. I’m thinking of finding a free weekend to actually go and see a Black Grouse lek somewhere…

3. If the weather is also really grey where you are, bring some nature inside with fresh flowers or some potted bulbs. If you have a local Lidl, have a look there- I got some bargainous pots of Muscari there last weekend and they have more bulbs in yesterday’s offers.

4. Look out for a scene near your house that captures the season. Next week I’ll be introducing a new project Capturing the Seasons, and you’ll need a local view or patch. Somewhere that’s likely to change throughout the year will be perfect.

5. Keep an eye out for Catkins- hazel catkins are *pun alert* springing up all around where I live and it really does feel as though the new season is just around the corner. If you’re a Nature Geek like me, you might also know that Alders produce catkins. I learnt a lot reading this blog post about the differences between the two.

In an effort to tackle number 1 on my 30 before 30 list, I’ve set myself quite a tall order on my year’s reading via a GoodReads reading challenge- to read 50 books this year which works out at just under a book a week. Whilst I’ve never before counted how many books I read in any year, I think this is probably quite ambitious, but still achievable (I hope!). With 10 books already to read for my Book Club, plus those which I tend to read for Bloggers’ Book Club (although I’m yet to make the Skype chat), those alone should make a reasonable dent in the overall total.

If you want to follow my progress, feel free to follow or friend me on GoodReads (you can find me here).

A new year and a new series: meet The Week. A weekly round up of clippings from around the web.

I’ve had a hideous week having been hit by a horrible strain of cold/flu and barely got out of bed from Wednesday to Friday other than to make the next dose of Lemsip. Chris has been an absolute star keeping me fed and watered every evening and I’m feeling a lot brighter- it’s put a pause on my move more, get fitter New Year’s Resolutions though!

Here are a few snippets that made my week that little bit better…

New blog discovery: The Kittchenby Kit Graham is filled to the brim with deliciousness (Plus her foodie Instagram is well worth a follow @thekittchen). I’m planning on making those Lemon Curd and Raspberry muffins with the last of my freezer raspberries ASAP.

Currently reading: This week I finished off one of my Christmas pressies, Tudor: The Family Story by Leandra de Lisle and read the first Hunger Games novel by Suzanne Collins from cover to cover. More detail on my monthly reads and watches at the end of the month. Magazine wise, I’ve had both Mollie Makes and Love Patchwork and Quilting pop through the letterbox this week. Sadly my love for Mollie is diminishing and each issue seems to have fewer projects that I want to try. I’ll see what February’s issue has to offer, but if I still feel the same I think I’ll be cancelling my subscription.

Currently Enjoying: the #30dayyogachallenge from Yoga with Adriene via Youtube. I was loving this 3 days in until the cold/flu hit. Now, I have about a week of videos to catch up with!

Discovering: Project Life, and after a trip to Hobbycraft I’m itching to get scrapbooking and keep a record of my year.

Kept busy by: The big news down here is the grounding of the Hoegh Osaka slap bang in the middle of the Solent. It (potentially) affects my day job, plus Dad’s a recently retired Southampton Pilot too so it’s been very interesting to see how it’s all played out so far. Thankfully everyone is safe, but the discovery of this parody account gave me a good giggle.

Nature story of the week: This is new to me this week, but dates back to last September. Have a good watch of the video linked from this web page about the Canadian fisherman who discovered an exhausted Bald Eagle, took it aboard and filmed the whole thing with running commentary. Brilliant!

A final thought: I suspect I’m not the only one who agrees with the views in thisarticle from Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett. Again, it’s an old article but it came up on The Guardian’s list of popular articles when I was reading the virtual newspaper earlier in the week.